The cost of maintaining a fleet is high, but it’s also necessary. Keeping your trucks on the road is what keeps your business moving and it’s up to you to figure out how to make doing so financially viable. Below are a few ways to save your company money while still keeping your fleet in great shape.
Get a Maintenance Package
One thing that people outside of the transportation business seem not to understand is that repairs are expensive. Not only are you dealing with the reality of pulling a vehicle off of the road, but you’re also going to have to pay to get the job done quickly. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, try investing in an up-front maintenance package. Doing so will save you money in the long-run, especially if have a particularly large – or old – fleet.
Buy Replacement Parts in Bulk
Buying in bulk is usually a lot cheaper than buying individual parts. While this is a move that can only be made by a company that’s got a fair bit of working capital, it’s one that can end up saving you quite a bit of money. As an example, the price of buying one scania left hand headlamp on its own is significantly higher than the per-unit price of buying a dozen. This won’t save you money up front, but it will save you money over time.
Get a Deal of Diesel
Fuel costs are some of the most volatile costs with which a fleet manager will deal. Though there’s relatively little you can do to impact the price of fuel, you can get a deal with a local company to average out your costs over time. If you can agree to a fair price for diesel when the prices are reasonably low, you can count on those prices as the price at the pump goes up.
Use More Efficient Engines
This is one of those money-saving tips that really only works if you’re willing to spend money up front. If you can afford to put more efficient engines in your vehicles, you’ll pay less for fuel over time. While many businesses can’t afford to replace all their engines at once, make sure to opt for more efficient engines whenever you replace a vehicle in your fleet. Doing so costs more early on, but the choice will more than pay for itself.
Saving money as a fleet manager often means knowing when to spend in order to save later. Don’t be afraid to look at upgrades and deals when you can, especially when doing can help you in the future. With some smart choices today, you’ll have a much more efficient fleet tomorrow.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
